When it comes to booking your clients’ accommodation, rest assured that New Zealand offers a superb range of accommodation types to suit every traveller.

As a first-world nation, New Zealand is well equipped with all the necessary infrastructure and facilities to ensure that your clients are able to concentrate on taking in the scenery, indulging in the outdoor adventures that make New Zealand famous and enjoying every minute of their stay.

Finding the right sort of accommodation to suit your clients is central to ensuring they are fully satisfied with their visit to New Zealand. The right sort of accommodation will of course depend on your clients’ tastes and budgets, but one thing is certain – a good night’s sleep will ensure that they are able to get the most out of their day. Fortunately, New Zealand offers a wide variety of accommodation for every budget and travelling style, located in all parts of the country from inner city to high country: from stylish hotels to secluded luxury lodges, charming and highly unique bed & breakfasts and farmstays, to sociable and inexpensive hostels and holiday parks. Whatever sort of experience your clients are looking for, you’ll find New Zealand accommodation to suit their needs.

It is essential to book ahead at peak times. That includes the summer holidays, from Christmas to the end of January, Easter, and winter in ski and snowboard resort towns such as Queenstown, Wanaka and Ohakune. To assist your planning, we’ve outlined some of the characteristics of the main types of accommodation.

Luxury Lodges

New Zealand has developed a distinctive style of luxury accommodation not found anywhere else in the world. Treat your clients to the ultimate in luxury. Small and highly individual – some opulent country mansions, others modern architectural masterpieces – no two lodges are alike, but all offer discerning travellers personal service and the finest food and wine. Located in beautiful, often less travelled, parts of New Zealand, a lodge stay offers a true and luxurious escape. Most lodges are priced fully inclusive of all accommodation and meals, and each will have its own exclusive treats on offer.

Hotels

From international chains to local originality, in New Zealand it’s easy to find a hotel that makes your clients feel at home. New Zealand hotels come in all sizes and personalities. Expect to find top international hotel chains, such as Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, Peppers Resorts & Retreats and InterContinental, in cities such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, as well as in key resorts like Rotorua and Queenstown. On main travelling routes are medium-priced chains offering a consistent standard of quality and facilities. Look for Scenic Hotel Group, Mainstay, Choice Hotels in New Zealand and Golden Chain. Dotted around New Zealand, sometimes in surprising locations, you’ll find small hotels memorable for their individuality and local charm. Character and boutique hotels, which range from heritage buildings to purpose-built facilities in stunning regional locations, vary in price according to their level of luxury.

Self Contained & Serviced

If your clients like independence and privacy, self-contained motel units, motor lodges and motor inns, apartments and holiday homes will fit their accommodation needs perfectly. Motels are often near main driving routes so they’re generally easy to find. Usually they offer a choice of units – studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom. All units have tea and coffee facilities, and many have kitchens. Larger motels often have facilities similar to hotels – swimming pool, spa, sauna, laundry, breakfast, restaurant and the like. Motor inns and motor lodges offer a similar standard.
Serviced apartments are a good option for clients travelling with family or as part of a group. Many are a similar price to a high quality hotel suite, but your clients will be able to cook their own meals and do their own laundry. Apartments may offer daily or regular servicing. Renting a holiday home offers the luxury of a whole house. Sometimes described in Kiwi vernacular as ‘baches’ or ‘cribs’, holiday homes are found in idyllic locations alongside beaches, rivers, lakes and forests.

Holiday Parks

Holiday Parks are equipped to please a wide range of people at minimal cost. Often set in attractive landscaped grounds (perhaps beside a beach or lake) they provide sites for tents, caravans and campervans. Many parks also have simple cabins, self-contained motel units and backpacker lodges. Camping is a very popular activity in New Zealand – summer holidays spent in well-equipped tents or caravans are a national institution. Some families book the same tent-site in a favourite holiday spot year after year. The casual living style and shared facilities create a friendly atmosphere, making holiday parks a great place for meeting both New Zealanders and fellow travellers. Easy access to shared kitchen and bathroom facilities is standard. Often there’s a communal dining area and TV lounge or games room. Motel units and backpacker lodges generally have self-contained kitchen and bathroom facilities. Take the hassle out of booking accommodation by helping your clients purchase a Top 10 Club Membership prior to departure. This will enable them to obtain a 10% discount on Top 10 Holiday Park accommodation.

Guest and Hosted

For an even closer connection to New Zealand’s people and culture, your clients may enjoy staying in a home-like environment. There are many establishments around the country, from restored historic houses to former churches and schools, which provide an unpackaged style of accommodation. They include home and farm stays, bed & breakfasts, country inns, guesthouses and heritage homes. Your clients can expect a comfortable bedroom, often with tea and coffee-making facilities, a television and a phone. Bathrooms may be private or shared. Lounge and dining areas are usually shared with other guests. In most cases, breakfast is included in the price, while lunches and dinners are optional extras. Guest and hosted accommodation ranges from a simple, low-cost standard to the height of luxury. Visiting www.qualmark.co.nz will help you determine the standard of accommodation you are booking.

Backpacker Hostels

Backpackers are well served by more than 500 backpackers and hostels throughout New Zealand. Some are individually owned and operated, while others are part of a ‘backpackers’ network. These facilities have a reputation for being clean and comfortable, though room types vary from lodge to lodge. Some only offer dormitory rooms (single sex on request), others provide a choice of dormitory, shared or private rooms. Bed linen and clothes-washing facilities are usually available for an extra charge. In most cases, bathroom, kitchen and living areas are shared, making for a relaxed, communal atmosphere. The backpacker industry works together to ensure high standards and good service, and may offer package deals in conjunction with other members of the travel industry. For affordable accommodation, the Youth Hostels Association of New Zealand (www.yha.co.nz) offers a range of options for travellers of all ages, as does Budget Backpacker Hostels of New Zealand (www.bbh.co.nz), a network of budget accommodation providers.